CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 22191, 20 November 1935, Page 4

CRICKET

[By H.P.S.]

FIXTURES. December 24, 25, 26, and 27.—Otago t. Auckland (Plunket Shield), at Dunedin. . , _ December 31, January 1 and w. Otago v. M.C C., at Dunedin. . Januarv 2,3, 4, and 6.—Canterbury v. Wellington (Plunket Shield), at Wellington.' ~ „ „ .January 10, 11, and 13.—M.C.C. v. New Zealand, at Dunedin. _ Januarv 24. 25, 27, and 28. —Otago v, Wellington (Plunket Shield), at DunFebruarv 7,8, 10, and 11.—Auckland v. Wellington (Plunket Shield), at Wellington. February 14, 15, 17, and 18.—Otago v. Canterbury (Plunket Shield),' at Christchurch. February 15.—Otago v. Tsorta Otago, at Oaraaru; Otago v. Southland, at Invercargill; Otago Colts v. South Otago, at Balclutha. DUNNING'S MATCH KAIKORAI BEATEN BY CARISBROOK Jt was weak hatting as much as any real venom in the bowling ot the opposition that cost Kaikorai a first innings win against Carisbroolc, and it was disappointing to the Hill team s supporters to find, after Kaikorai appeared in a sound position, that experienced batsmen instead of playing themselves in went 6ut after runs before they were seeing the ball properly. _ This applies especially to Talbot and Constable. Talbot is not yet in form with .the bat, and he did not display his usual confidence on Saturday. _ All the more reason for his taking tilings quietly for’a start and waiting for the loose ones instead of going for a lash, with-the result that A. Kerr heat him when he was only 5. , . . Constable is naturally a hard-hitting batsman, but with the state of the game as it was he should have curbed his impetuosity—it was a pity he and Talbot did not ; consolidate the position, instead of which he was out to Dunning as the result of a weak stroke. Constable is worth much to Carisbrook in the field, however, being ever on the alert and saving many runs in every game.

Notes and Comments

Vial showed some of the others the right game to play, and while he was associated with Holden he was content to score off an occasional loose one, leaving the run-getting to his partner, jvho played just as sound a knock as on the previous Saturday. Every stroke made by Holden was well-timed and cleanly executed, and the only, mistake he made in putting together 45 brought about his downfall, n cateli in the slips by J. Cameron off Dunning. Even then Kaikorai might have headed Carisbrook but for the misfor-

tune that befell Vial, who was the victim of a very doubtful decision. Vial had played a good knock for his side, and besides' driving well made some good strokes to leg. With his score at 20, he was given out to a catch behind the wickets, but from a position behind tho stumps and almost immediately in line, it appeared that the

batsman did not connect, and he was very unlucky indeed. Keenan and Cook made an efiort to get the necessary runs, but when the former was out Ibw to Dunning the side was still 12 rilMs_ in arrears. Heenan played quite a fair innings, but his keeping subsequently fell below that of the previous Saturday, and he did not take the ball nearly s so cleanly as in the first innings. Similar remarks may be applied to Horens, the Carisbrook keeper,- for neither lie nor Heenan gave a display up to-standard. Carisbrook lacks variety in bowling, but it was fortunate for them that Dunning found a spot and pegged away at it with .successful results to finish with six wickets for 44 runs. Dunning sent down some short-length deliveries, but soon settled down.to command a good length, and bowling accurately, he was treated with respect by all the batsmen. He got some work on the ball, and put up one of his best performances for some time. It was undoubtedly Dunning’s match, for he topscored ill the first innings with 31 and then contributed a lively 47 in half an hour in the second innings, pulls and hooks predominating. Dunning laid the wood on, and provided one of the brightest interludes of a somewhat desultory afternoon. Alan Kerr sent down an occasional good one, but his length and direction were inclined to be erratic, _ while At'Kay did not appear particularly dangerous. Kaikorai’s bowling presented even fewer difficulties to Carisbrook when the latter batted a second time, and though nine truiidlers were tried, 1 Talbot was the only one who was very effective. Cook could not handle the wind at all, and l sent down some terrible rubbish, overpitching badly. Apart from Dunning, F. Kerr played an attractive innings, and the Colt, Kean, further confirmed the good*impression formed of his batting on the first day. VARSITY'S DEADLY ATTACK CAMERON’S " HAT-TRICK " Expectations that University would have a fine bowling side this season have been early realised. On Saturday High School Old Boys wilted before a deadly blast comprising varied forms of attack. Sensations came quickly after the game was continued from the previous week. The Old Boys’ batsmen were impotent against Henderson and Cameron, who, significantly enough, secured their victims by the quick-aiul-busy, indisputable method of rattling

tho stumps. Henderson, keeping a great length, was found to be practically unplayable, while Cameron, who combined spin with well-judged flight, had the batsmen continually groping for bis “ slows.”

Although Ryan succumbed early this time, University’s second knock was quite impressive. AUCarten was essentially sound, and kept his end up confidently, while Uttley, who was sighting the leather much better than in the previous day’s play, went for the runs. In the course of a bright knock for 64 not out Uttley revealed all the old footwork and speed in getting the bat to the ball. Moreover, he released an attractive variety of strokes. Supported by accurate fielding. University quickly accounted for Old

Boys in the second innings, Clark being the only batsman to reach double figures. Cameron carried on ■just as before —in fact, he was still more formidable as regard s actual figures, his “ hat trick ” at the expense of Clark,

Mahony, and Otway enabling him to emerge with the great average of four wickets for 9 runs off 2.1 overs. Henderson again did well; but it was Begg, who, with pacey good-length deliveries, took his place as collector of scalps. The students are indeed happy in the strength of their attack, and, as the batting is by no means weak, they may he hard to dislodge from pride of place at the top of the ladder.

COLTS SAVE OUTRIGHT WIN SAXTON SHOWS GOOD FORM Against the well-varied and strong Albion attack the Colts failed dismally to avert a first innings defeat, but several of them displayed sufficient determination to resist an outright de feat. A pleasing feature of the Colts’ dis play was the form i i shown by Saxton,

SIIUWU IJV OttAtUll, who, opening with Badcock in both innings, scored 44 and 35. These efforts, no doubt, were mainly responsible for holding Albion from a complete “ walkover.” Saxton faced the bowling confidently on both occasions, his refusal to take any risks stamping him

i ou(iuipiii£ iJiui as a patient and solid batsman. In the Colts’ first innings Saxton, Badcock, and Williams were the only ones to reach double figures, the remaining batsmen adding onlj; 18 runs between them. After dismissing Albion for 160 the Colts were in a good position when they had only three wickets down for 110, but the side collapsed for 124. Of the Albion bowlers, J. Shepherd was outstanding

*y u o and his figures of eight for 47 were largely responsible for ensuring 'Victory for his side. By taking three wickets for 3 runs on the second day of play he quickly decided the issue, the four remaining Colts’ wickets producing only 8 of the 35 runs required for a win. In the Colts’ second

J. J L IJUiud tiCvUllU innings, he was handicapped by an injured neck which he ricked when he hit a ball vigorously to leg in scoring his 36 not out. Nevertheless, he was able to take two wickets, for 20 before he was compelled to give up the ball. The other Albion bowlers did not seem to intimidate the Colts to the same degree as Shepherd, and runs came freely, mainly because the bowlers sent down many short-pitched balls. Silver was a bad offender in this respect, and it was obvious that had he maintained a good length, he would have met witha great deal more success. Allen appeared to be out of form, while Smith was also disappointing, and at times bowled erratically. Under the circumstances, it was surprising that Brookes, who generally managed to get a bag of wickets when playing in matches for Christian Brothers, /was not given a trial. Of course, with Smith, Barron, and Duncan the team is well equipped with slow bowlers, but there seems no reason why Brookes should not be given a turn occasionally. On the whole, Albion’s fielding was good. The. catching was excellent, but Ditchfield and Brookes failed on numerous occasions to handle the ball cleanly in the outfield. Some of the Albion bowlers also made the mistake of standing in front of the wicket when the ball was being returned from the field, and on one occasion a possible rim out was missed as a result. AN UNUSUAL INCIDENT Owing lo the strong wind which prevailed throughout the match between Albion and the Colts at Logan Park last Saturday considerable difficulty was experienced in keeping the bails in place on top of the stumps, and a-great deal of time was lost as a result. So persistently did one bail fall off just as play was about to resume in the early part of the afternoon that someone conceived the idea of cementing down the bail with chewing gum. A few balls later, however, Shepherd appealed for an Ibw decision against Campbell, and then many of the phi.' rers in the field appealed for the wicket on account of the stuck bail having been dislodged. It was claimed that the ball had been deflected from the batsman’s pad on to the off stump bail, which was left clinging to the stump by the gum. The umpire, however, dismissed both appeals, stating after the match that he was convinced that the hall missed the wickets by indies, while Shepherd was also surprised to see the bail shifted. The square-leg umpire, however, considered that the ball did strike the bail, but he had no say in the decision. Fortunately for Albion Campbell was dismissed next ball through Barron taking a brilliant catch at mid-on.